A Chinese sancai crab water pot. Kangxi
This oval water pot is modelled as a crab, with protruding eyes picked out in black, the remainder splashed in brown-aubergine, green and yellow, a circular aperture on the top encircled by a band of incised overlapping petals.
- Country:
- China
- Period :
- Kangxi (1662-1722)
- Material:
- Porcelain
- Dimension:
- 2.95 in. x 2.16 in. (7,5 x 5,5 cm)
- Reference :
- D559
- Status:
- sold
Related works
For an identical waterpot, see Sotheby’s London, Catalogue of Fine Chinese Export Porcelain, jades and other works of art, 1st march 1977, lot 126.
Notice
This charming object was originally intended for the scholar’s desk. It would have been used as water container for wetting calligraphy brushes. The Chinese word for crab (蟹) and the Chinese word for harmony (协) are both pronounced xie. The crab is also used to symbolize success in the imperial examination.
